New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1887-06-01
Street Of the Burnt Woman.
A Legend Of Mexico.

From, The San Francisco Argonaut.
a weil-known street of the Mexican
capital is La Gale de la Quernada, or
'tthe Street Of the Burnt Woman"
whose romantic story is told in an
ancient parchment document, dusty
and long forgotten.
it was two centuries ago that the
actors in this drama lived and moved
and had their being, but the story of
eheir lives comes down to us ofto-day
full Of fresh and vivid memory, as Of
people we might know. And strange
ly enough it is a pleasant story, too,
notwithstanding it's dark stain of hui
man suffering; perhaps because tragic
as were the events, the outcome of in
tense passion, they partook not Of
the faint of intrigue, of treachery and
dishonor, that too often characterized
the love affairs of the hot-blooded
Spaniards. For this is a story otlove
and heroic sacrifice, and the lessons it
teaches are all sweet and wholesome.
Maria Anaya was one OF the love-
aiest maidens OF Nueva Hispana.
Hers was that rare beauty, at once
glowing and gentle, that fills the hearts
OF men and women alike with yearn-
ing tenderness. "On her sweet face a
biessing' said a hideous beggar crone,
one day on the Paseo, turning to look
after the girl; cit would warm
my heart to clasp her in my arms.
The day seems brighter, the world
seems better, since she came near. I
long to serve her-to put myself be-
tween her and some danger"
In short, Marina was one of the few
beings gifted with the faculty of win
ming the love of all. She lad not an
enemy in the world. She lived sim
pie life enough in the home of her par
'ents, making their lives bright, going
her daily round with an even cheerful
ness Of spirit, and gladly taking her
share OF such amusement and social
sunshine as was possible with the wom-
en- Of her day and race. She was no
saint, Marina, but neither was she a.
scoquette, a scold, a bigot, nor an empty
headed doll-but sweet, true, pure
minded woman. It was deemed strange,
In her wide circle OF acquaintance, that
Marina had no lover. Suitors had
she galore, to choose from whom she
needed but to raise her finger. But
she elected not to choose. "Why should
4 wed?" she would say when question
ed with urgence. simply to haye a
husband? But what is a. husband
f<aaarth if he be not dear? And better
SbllaG live to robe the saints, as is
onr saying, than to marry but that it
is the custom, and afterward meet one
: TO whom all the heart goes forth. Ay
Dios! what misery. Nay! nay! Think
my parents love me; and, until they
send me from their home, I will not
marry, unless | come to love-" And
in that day, to follow a course requir-
ed even more than to-day of firmness,
aresolutior, and singleness OF purpose.
Marina had her reward. There
came a change in the vice-roy atty
the viceroys were changed sometimes;
the regal master occasionally opin-
ed that his representative thought
OF the subject first; and now
and again one embarked for an
count OF his earthly craftsmanship.
Thus, a new viceroy came to Mexico,
and with him, came Leonel de la Mon
tana, a comely youth Of ancient lin
cage, especially detailed by Philip the
Second for the journey to the new
world. He was noble, handsomerich.
Was aught else lacking? Midst thedis-
solutey youth of the day might one look
for saint? Such, indeed, was not
I4eonel de la Montana; he was a sol
t1ier, who had fought we'll and to his
own fame in the campaigns of Elan
ders, and he had a soldiers faults.
But he was also a brave and Knight
ssy man, whose sins were never base
nor loathsome, and, Judged by the
standard OF the time, he was excep-
saional us TO honor and morals.
He met Marino soon after his arriv.
.al, who shall say how and where? on
the paseo Of those days, at church, OF
at one of the infrequent. tertulias Of
the time? And from the first time hc
saw her, he lived and breathed but for
Marina Anaya, and he made his
court with such eager assiduity that
they were soon betro thed. And Ma
,riina found in her lover the fulfllment
.of her ideal, the realization OF that
standard, lacking which she had been
content to live unwedded. Her every
wish and aspiration were satisfied by
the excellences of Leonel If only she
could persuade him that such was the
truth! For the one thing that marred
her perfect happiness, the one blemish
IN character otherwise all sym.
.rnetrical, was the terrible strain
OF jealousy in his nature. Il
may have been the proverbial modes.
&y OF the true lover, making him feel 9